Elise Archer,Attorney-General and Minister for Building and Construction
The Tasmanian Government remains committed to making sure the health and safety of Tasmanian workers is protected, and a second wave of COVID-19 infections is prevented as the economy and community is re‑opened.
The Government has determined that the most appropriate legal mechanism for setting the minimum standards for workplaces continues to be Public Health Directions while the Public Health Emergency remains in effect.
This is the same approach taken in every other state and territory.
Once the end of the Public Health Emergency is declared, the Government will consider whether it is necessary to have in place additional regulations for the ongoing enforcement of minimum standards.
Compliance with the Public Health Directions will still be monitored and enforced through the Work Health and Safety Act.
This Act requires a person conducting a business or undertaking to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable:
- the health and safety of workers at work in the business or undertaking in protected; and
- the health and safety of other persons is not put at risk from work carried out in the conduct of the business or undertaking.
The requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act apply equally to the risks of COVID-19 infection as they do to other risks.
